Beating Georgia could help UK get bye into SEC Tournament quarterfinals

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Kyra Elzy says her players understand the importance of tonight's game at Georgia

Every Southeastern Conference game is important but a win Thursday night at No. 17 Georgia would be especially helpful for No. 19 Kentucky. The Wildcats are 15-6 overall and 8-5 in SEC play while Georgia is 17-4, including 9-4 in league play.

The top four teams in regular-season play receive byes in to the SEC Tournament quarterfinals. South Carolina (13-1) and Texas A&M (11-1) have two spots secured. After that Georgia is 9-4, Tennessee 7-4, Kentucky 8-5, Alabama 8-6 and Arkansas 7-6 follow in the standings.

A win Thursday obviously would move UK into a tie with Georgia in the standings and give the Wildcats the tiebreaker over Georgia. Kentucky has one game remaining at home with Ole Miss Sunday before SEC Tournament play starts March 3. Beat Georgia and Ole Miss, a team that defeated UK earlier this season, to get to 10-5 and UK should get a bye.

“We’re always worried about seeding and positioning, and it’s something that we talk about all year, not just for this game,” Kentucky coach Kyra Elzy said. “But, the players do understand the importance of this game.

“One, because it’s the next game on our schedule, but for seeding purposes. However, not just trying to focus on the outcome of the game, really right now, trying to set our mindset on the things that we need to do in order to play the game that we need to play.”

The Bulldogs are 9-2 at home this season with the only losses coming to LSU and Mississippi State. Jenna Staiti is leading the team with 13.8 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. Gabby Connally is averaging 12.4 points per game with 62 assists and 33 steals.

“Staiti is playing extremely well. She’s a big-body post. She can score over both shoulders. We’ll have to work not to let her have a deep position. We’re going to have to make her a passer when she kicks out of the double, and when the shot goes up, make sure we’re getting a box out,” Elzy said.

Kentucky lost again to No. 2 South Carolina 76-55 in its last game and got pounded inside, a problem UK has had most of the season.

“It was a tough night for us. Obviously, a disappointing showing. Not the outcome that we wanted, obviously, but our approach with the team and the staff is we have to have a short memory right now,” Elzy said Tuesday. “We had to go back, look at the South Carolina game, there were areas in which we can improve, there were areas that we did some things better, and it carried over from practice, so now you have to put your focus on Georgia.

“We have to lay South Carolina to rest. Learn from it, move on and our focus is now on Georgia.”

Kentucky is led by All-American Rhyne Howard but Elzy says her team is at its best with balanced scoring.

“You have to be able to produce. Our depth has been a big factor for us all year. So, right now we will continue using our rotation, playing our depth, and if we have to tighten the rotation, we will, but you just go with the flow of the game, and that’s a game time decision,” Elzy said.

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